John R. Davis

John R. Davis was born on May 10th, 1921, in Nazareth, Pennsylvania. He enlisted the U.S. Army on October 8th, 1940 as infantryman and was assigned to Company M, 47th Infantry Regiment at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

John R. Davis in 1941, when he was Corporal in M/47th at Fort Bragg, with the “Originals”

Mike Company is the Heavy Weapons Company of the 3rd Battalion. He served in that company for the whole duration of War, starting from “Buck Private” to Company Commander (as 1st Lieutenant) at the end of the War. He is the only member of the 9th Infantry Division that seems to have advanced in rank from private to commanding officer.

1st Lieutenant John R. Davis in the Harz Mountains in Germany, 1945. The photo was taken by Bob Story. On his left sleeve, we can see 4 overseas stripes, which mean four times 6 months of overseas duty : 2 years, from late 1942 to 1945.

Johnny Davis was presented “Distinguished Member of the Regiment” to the 47th Infantry Regiment Club of Fame in 1991 by the Club’s Honorary Sergeant Major, Ken Meyer.

During his service in WWII, John R. Davis was awarded the Purple Heart, two Bronze Star Medals and one Silver Star Medal, and took part to the eight battle campaigns of the division.